Science is Fun Fridays!
In northeastern India, the tribes in Meghalaya have learned how to manipulate the root systems of the Ficus elastica, otherwise known as the Rubber Tree plant, to create bridges.
They pull and twist and encourage by hand the growth across the rivers. Sometimes they use bamboo scaffolding while the roots are still young.
They also use betel nut trunks to prevent the rubber tree roots from fanning out, thus guiding them into the bridges.
It can take many years for a bridge to become strong enough for use, but once ready, they are incredibly sturdy. They can support the weight of 50 or more people and are used daily. Some bridges in Cherrapunji may well be over 500 years old.
Unfortunately, this practice is fading and the knowledge is becoming memory. Tourism has helped keep the bridges from being torn down and replaced with steel, and has become a focus for the towns (and surrounding area) of Mawsynram and Dawki
Lonely Planet
Wikimedia Commons
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